Bringing a wealth of real-world expertise, the University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies welcomes H. Richard Sindelar III as a new assistant professor. Sindelar's courses will focus on American foreign policy, international security, international law and global trade.

"My class and seminar in Middle East issues will keep me deeply involved in a fascinating region of the world and one with major U.S. foreign policy implications," Sindelar said.

Sindelar received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and served more than 22 years as a diplomatic officer with the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service. His overseas posts from 1974-1995 included Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Montreal, Mexico, Cairo and Cuba, as well as a peacekeeping tour at the Sinai Field Mission.

In Washington, he served three tours analyzing Middle East political and economic events in the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. In his last tour from 1991-1994, he was the deputy director of Middle East/South Asia analysis. He also served two Washington tours in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Office for Legislation, Regulations and Advisory Assistance. He dealt with immigration matters and served as division chief for the Coordination Division, which was responsible for the national visa security check system.

During a sabbatical year at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., Sindelar co-edited the book "Crosscurrents in the Gulf." As an editor on the staff of the Georgetown Law Journal, he wrote the "Right to Counsel" segment of the Journal's "1983 Criminal Procedure Project." Sindelar is a member of the bars in Washington D.C. and Texas.

Sindelar who previously served as an adjunct professor at St. Thomas, will begin teaching full time this fall.

“As a Houstonian since childhood, and a Strake Jesuit graduate, I’ve long been familiar with UST and its focus on faith and character," Sindelar said. "In many ways, this new position brings me full circle in my career. I have wanted to teach since I was in university. Entering the profession at this stage of my life is a bonus which lets me share a wealth of experience and practical advice with my students. ”

Before joining St. Thomas, Sindelar was a partner at Jackson Walker LLP, representing and advising a variety of multinational corporate clients, including energy and oil industry companies, information technology companies, investment enterprises, the shipping industry, and sports clients. His practice areas include employer compliance, export compliance, global mobility immigration, and treaty investment in the U.S.

Also, Sindelar has periodically appeared as a TV/radio analyst on international issues on Channel 26 Fox News, Channels 11, 13 and 2, and KTRH Radio. He has written opinion articles on various Middle East, political and security topics. He enjoys opera, and he currently serves on the Houston Grand Opera’s Board of Trustees.

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.